Thunderbird Club

[Miles_ONeal]

Yeah and with the tailpiece claw it set them just about perfectly past the nut!

and without the claw, the ball end silks would sit over the saddles.

View attachment 4450368

Those long EBCF silks are the only nitpick I have with those strings.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Pyramid Gold

View attachment 4450155

Yikes. That's worse than the Cobalt Flats!

 

[dukeorock]

So the 2021 NR is finally home

the colors on these new NR’s are so strange. Looks like a completely different color depending on the light. That’s not a good or bad thing to me. Lighting in my music room tweaks stuff a bit too.

First impressions are…it’s…good? I don’t really know how I feel about it yet. I will say it’s beautiful to look at!
The neck profile is quite a bit different than a modern reverse, but I think it plays just fine for my hands. It doesn’t neck dive with the stock strap pin position, but as has been pointed out, it sits more level than my others just hanging on me. Again, not good or bad. I’ll likely take it to its first gig as is and see how I feel from there.
The stock pickups are pretty nice, if a bit tame. I did a quick recording with the new NR and a basic drum beat. Nothing close to tight or fancy. Recorded straight into my Lynx (n) Aurora interface. Did the same with my ‘02 Gibson reverse with Lollars and well worn in but not quite worn out Dunlop Super Bright strings. Same settings. The Lollars are a bit louder, ‘throatier’ and deeper in the lows. They seem to have a bit more ‘personality’ to my ears but can easily sound a bit muddy in a dense band mix. The stock 2021 NR pickups are a bit more P bass sounding to me. Punchy, great mids, but not the throaty TBird thing quite as much. I’ll be interested to hear it with different strings. The strings that came on it don’t suck, but aren’t great either.
Oddly, someone at the Gibson custom shop was supposed to have done the setup, but I’m wondering if he forgot to get around to it. The action is nice, but there’s some minor fret buzz and the intonation is a little out. Not at all what I’d expect from a ‘master luthier.’
I’m going to use it on my Wednesday gig and maybe the road dates this weekend, but I’m not optimistic it’ll unseat my Fano JM4 or ‘02 Gibson as a daily driver yet. Still hopeful because it certainly is a beauty

 

[JJR58]

So the 2021 NR is finally home
View attachment 4450493 View attachment 4450494
the colors on these new NR’s are so strange. Looks like a completely different color depending on the light. That’s not a good or bad thing to me. Lighting in my music room tweaks stuff a bit too.

First impressions are…it’s…good? I don’t really know how I feel about it yet. I will say it’s beautiful to look at!
The neck profile is quite a bit different than a modern reverse, but I think it plays just fine for my hands. It doesn’t neck dive with the stock strap pin position, but as has been pointed out, it sits more level than my others just hanging on me. Again, not good or bad. I’ll likely take it to its first gig as is and see how I feel from there.
The stock pickups are pretty nice, if a bit tame. I did a quick recording with the new NR and a basic drum beat. Nothing close to tight or fancy. Recorded straight into my Lynx (n) Aurora interface. Did the same with my ‘02 Gibson reverse with Lollars and well worn in but not quite worn out Dunlop Super Bright strings. Same settings. The Lollars are a bit louder, ‘throatier’ and deeper in the lows. They seem to have a bit more ‘personality’ to my ears but can easily sound a bit muddy in a dense band mix. The stock 2021 NR pickups are a bit more P bass sounding to me. Punchy, great mids, but not the throaty TBird thing quite as much. I’ll be interested to hear it with different strings. The strings that came on it don’t suck, but aren’t great either.
Oddly, someone at the Gibson custom shop was supposed to have done the setup, but I’m wondering if he forgot to get around to it. The action is nice, but there’s some minor fret buzz and the intonation is a little out. Not at all what I’d expect from a ‘master luthier.’
I’m going to use it on my Wednesday gig and maybe the road dates this weekend, but I’m not optimistic it’ll unseat my Fano JM4 or ‘02 Gibson as a daily driver yet. Still hopeful because it certainly is a beauty

Just put Lollar’s in there.
As long as the neck suits you.

 

[JJR58]

Crusty cream those Lollars are.

 

[WillyW]

Yikes. That's worse than the Cobalt Flats!

Worse or better?

I like Cobalt flats, I think they are 75% as good as the Pyramids at half the price. I have a couple sets floating around here, BUT the Pyramids are well worth the extra expense.

So the 2021 NR is finally home
View attachment 4450493 View attachment 4450494
the colors on these new NR’s are so strange. Looks like a completely different color depending on the light. That’s not a good or bad thing to me. Lighting in my music room tweaks stuff a bit too.

First impressions are…it’s…good? I don’t really know how I feel about it yet. I will say it’s beautiful to look at!
The neck profile is quite a bit different than a modern reverse, but I think it plays just fine for my hands. It doesn’t neck dive with the stock strap pin position, but as has been pointed out, it sits more level than my others just hanging on me. Again, not good or bad. I’ll likely take it to its first gig as is and see how I feel from there.
The stock pickups are pretty nice, if a bit tame. I did a quick recording with the new NR and a basic drum beat. Nothing close to tight or fancy. Recorded straight into my Lynx (n) Aurora interface. Did the same with my ‘02 Gibson reverse with Lollars and well worn in but not quite worn out Dunlop Super Bright strings. Same settings. The Lollars are a bit louder, ‘throatier’ and deeper in the lows. They seem to have a bit more ‘personality’ to my ears but can easily sound a bit muddy in a dense band mix. The stock 2021 NR pickups are a bit more P bass sounding to me. Punchy, great mids, but not the throaty TBird thing quite as much. I’ll be interested to hear it with different strings. The strings that came on it don’t suck, but aren’t great either.
Oddly, someone at the Gibson custom shop was supposed to have done the setup, but I’m wondering if he forgot to get around to it. The action is nice, but there’s some minor fret buzz and the intonation is a little out. Not at all what I’d expect from a ‘master luthier.’
I’m going to use it on my Wednesday gig and maybe the road dates this weekend, but I’m not optimistic it’ll unseat my Fano JM4 or ‘02 Gibson as a daily driver yet. Still hopeful because it certainly is a beauty

I’m super happy with the colour and the bass. I’m quite pleased with the pickup(neck) don’t use the bridge much.
I am going to replace the second volume knob with a blend, other than a new pickguard I think I’m done.

 

[dagrev]

How low can you go? This popped up in my suggestions. Check the bass player out. He'll need help adjusting his volume....

 

[dagrev]

I’ve blanked like that. Stop the song, apologize, take a moment to collect your thoughts and get your brain out of panic mode.

Its amazing how much information our brains process every day. Don’t be too hard on yourself or others when these things happen.

It doesn't bother me if someone messes up. I do it myself. But that was so simple and so obvious! At least to those in the band. Had I had it to do over I would have started over. People don't mind that and I think appreciate the honesty. But I kept digging the hole (I mean thinking it would come to me).

 

[dagrev]

I use DR Sunbeams on my TF fretless and will use La Bella DTB on certain basses too. I think I have Blue Steels on my reverse T-Bird with Lull pickups but I'd like to try Rotos on it.

I like Blue Steels. They also sound good on VPs. Used to use them a lot years ago as well. Thought of trying Apex Strings because they are some of the old DM workers who knew how they were made when they were praised more.

 

[Nocturnal]

How low can you go? This popped up in my suggestions. Check the bass player out. He'll need help adjusting his volume....

That boy singer looks like Rob Thomas from Matchbox 20 would have looked in the 8th grade.

 

[dagrev]

I'd say those are either RS66 when they still put the red silk on the ball end, or GHS Boomers.

Boomers don't have the silk at the ball end. Not any I've bought in the last few years anyway.

 

[dagrev]

Not sure about the strings, they where on when I bought the bass, the seller did not know or remember either. So a mystery to me….

But it feels and sounds just super. Just played her for about 3 hours, 22 songs, at band rehearsal. We have a gig coming up next saturday.

If they have a rougher than Nickle plated feel they are likely Rotos, if not they could be Infelds. They are great strings. Not supper bright but clear, and lots of good mids and lows. Well balanced and last forever.

Infeld Bass Guitar | Guitar Strings | Products | Thomastik-Infeld Vienna

 

[dagrev]

So the 2021 NR is finally home
View attachment 4450493 View attachment 4450494
the colors on these new NR’s are so strange. Looks like a completely different color depending on the light. That’s not a good or bad thing to me. Lighting in my music room tweaks stuff a bit too.

First impressions are…it’s…good? I don’t really know how I feel about it yet. I will say it’s beautiful to look at!
The neck profile is quite a bit different than a modern reverse, but I think it plays just fine for my hands. It doesn’t neck dive with the stock strap pin position, but as has been pointed out, it sits more level than my others just hanging on me. Again, not good or bad. I’ll likely take it to its first gig as is and see how I feel from there.
The stock pickups are pretty nice, if a bit tame. I did a quick recording with the new NR and a basic drum beat. Nothing close to tight or fancy. Recorded straight into my Lynx (n) Aurora interface. Did the same with my ‘02 Gibson reverse with Lollars and well worn in but not quite worn out Dunlop Super Bright strings. Same settings. The Lollars are a bit louder, ‘throatier’ and deeper in the lows. They seem to have a bit more ‘personality’ to my ears but can easily sound a bit muddy in a dense band mix. The stock 2021 NR pickups are a bit more P bass sounding to me. Punchy, great mids, but not the throaty TBird thing quite as much. I’ll be interested to hear it with different strings. The strings that came on it don’t suck, but aren’t great either.
Oddly, someone at the Gibson custom shop was supposed to have done the setup, but I’m wondering if he forgot to get around to it. The action is nice, but there’s some minor fret buzz and the intonation is a little out. Not at all what I’d expect from a ‘master luthier.’
I’m going to use it on my Wednesday gig and maybe the road dates this weekend, but I’m not optimistic it’ll unseat my Fano JM4 or ‘02 Gibson as a daily driver yet. Still hopeful because it certainly is a beauty

Looks great! Thanks for the review. The PUs were a little too tame for Scott. He dropped in a VP ProBucker in from a trade with V and I think that was more to his liking.

 

[GBassNorth]

love old Alfas….
View attachment 4450350 q

Alfa’s are fun little things. Ive had a couple of them over the years (‘62 Giulietta convertible, ‘74 2000 GTV and an ‘86 Spider Veloche) and they always put a smile on my face when behind the wheel. Those engines just love to rev and the sticks shift nice and smooth. Not as fast or as agile as Porsches of the same era but every bit as much (or maybe even more) fun to drive. Plus they were all a bit more reliable than the fiats I’ve owned. Wish I still had that ‘62.

Yeah and with the tailpiece claw it set them just about perfectly past the nut!

and without the claw, the ball end silks would sit over the saddles.

View attachment 4450368

Kinda in the sweet spot then, but just barely.

 

[bobyoung53]

I like Blue Steels. They also sound good on VPs. Used to use them a lot years ago as well. Thought of trying Apex Strings because they are some of the old DM workers who knew how they were made when they were praised more.

I switched to Blue Steels when I started getting dead E string from Rotosound, they fixed that problem though.

 

[BklynKen]

Boomers don't have the silk at the ball end. Not any I've bought in the last few years anyway.

Ah. Well here's the dead giveaway.

@Mvf What color(s) are the ball ends?

 

[TBird1958]

So the 2021 NR is finally home
View attachment 4450493 View attachment 4450494
the colors on these new NR’s are so strange. Looks like a completely different color depending on the light. That’s not a good or bad thing to me. Lighting in my music room tweaks stuff a bit too.

First impressions are…it’s…good? I don’t really know how I feel about it yet. I will say it’s beautiful to look at!
The neck profile is quite a bit different than a modern reverse, but I think it plays just fine for my hands. It doesn’t neck dive with the stock strap pin position, but as has been pointed out, it sits more level than my others just hanging on me. Again, not good or bad. I’ll likely take it to its first gig as is and see how I feel from there.
The stock pickups are pretty nice, if a bit tame. I did a quick recording with the new NR and a basic drum beat. Nothing close to tight or fancy. Recorded straight into my Lynx (n) Aurora interface. Did the same with my ‘02 Gibson reverse with Lollars and well worn in but not quite worn out Dunlop Super Bright strings. Same settings. The Lollars are a bit louder, ‘throatier’ and deeper in the lows. They seem to have a bit more ‘personality’ to my ears but can easily sound a bit muddy in a dense band mix. The stock 2021 NR pickups are a bit more P bass sounding to me. Punchy, great mids, but not the throaty TBird thing quite as much. I’ll be interested to hear it with different strings. The strings that came on it don’t suck, but aren’t great either.
Oddly, someone at the Gibson custom shop was supposed to have done the setup, but I’m wondering if he forgot to get around to it. The action is nice, but there’s some minor fret buzz and the intonation is a little out. Not at all what I’d expect from a ‘master luthier.’
I’m going to use it on my Wednesday gig and maybe the road dates this weekend, but I’m not optimistic it’ll unseat my Fano JM4 or ‘02 Gibson as a daily driver yet. Still hopeful because it certainly is a beauty

Mine's really grown on me, love it - it won't replace my Reverses, but it's a pleasant surprise, def a keeper!

 

[WillyW]

Mine's really grown on me, love it - it won't replace my Reverses, but it's a pleasant surprise, def a keeper!

I have liked my reverse, but it wasn’t in my top 3 favorite bass styles.

I mostly bought the NR because it was available and NOT shaging sunburst.

The NR is definitely now in my top 3, I think I have had it just over a week at this point.

By the way my top 3 are:

in no particular order…

BC Rich Eagle (except it is #1)

Rickenbacker 4003/4004 (because I don’t want a top 4)

Gibson Non-Reverse Thunder-shaging-Bird

honorable mention to my TelExplorer and reverse TeleBird…

by the way I didn’t like my NR TeleBird…

 

[dukeorock]

Looks great! Thanks for the review. The PUs were a little too tame for Scott. He dropped in a VP ProBucker in from a trade with V and I think that was more to his liking.

It’s very subjective stuff for sure. Though I like Lollars and ThunderBuckers ‘best,’ I think I prefer the new Gibson pu’s in the NR over the 760’s used in Epi VP’s. Just personal preferences

Mine's really grown on me, love it - it won't replace my Reverses, but it's a pleasant surprise, def a keeper!

Winner!

 

[dagrev]

Ah. Well here's the dead giveaway.

@Mvf What color(s) are the ball ends?

Not trying to cut in, but I'll step in and answer while here. They were brass in the pic. That's why I thought they might be older if they were Rotos. Or, possibly Roto does things differently for the Europe market. Do you know when they changed to the colored ball ends?